Odd Tangent to General Chauvinism

[waiting4something]

It seems women are only used as combat troops in communist countries, third world shit holes, or last ditch efforts. I could only see women in the U.S.A. being used this way in a last ditch effort only. Mostly, I think they would be kept state side fighting invaders. I don't like how Twilight made it were women where in all the combat roles just like men from the start. It's very unrealistic that way. I could see where they are in a supply unit or something and end up being used as warriors on the front, but not joining the military with a combat MOS.

[kato13]

It seems women are only used as comabt troops in communist countries, third world shit holes, or last ditch efforts.

Israel and I believe New Zealand should also be included in the list of countries using women in many front line positions. France also allows them in many combat roles, but not many take up the option.

Wait that doesn't belong in this thread.

[waiting4something]

To me Israel may not be third world, but it is a shit hole. Israel is a defense force meaning they have to use everyone they can, because all they're neighbors hate and want to kill them. France, I never knew that about them. They must be waiting for the next Joan of Arch New Zealand, aren't they really just a piece of Australia

[kato13]

To me Israel may not be third world, but it is a shit hole.

I cannot agree with that statement, but an opinion is an opinion. In general I don't like specific insults against an individual country though. We have members from many countries and such inflammatory language is generally not helpful.

As far as accepting the desperation argument for Israel i do.

[waiting4something]

I cannot agree with that statement, but an opinion is an opinion.

Yeah I hear you. It's politically correct to not say things like I did, but it is what it is. I mean sure they are not barbarians, but the country is always getting bombed, having roits, people shot up by well armed and funded militants, missiles shot into it, people kidnapped by terror cells living blantantly right next to them, and living in a state of high threat for apparent reasons. Sounds like a place you wanna bring up a family..... ahhhh no. I don't mean to get off topic, I just had to tell why it is a shit hole.

[kato13]

I just had to tell why it is a shit hole.

In your opinion. That is a very important factor in all internet forums. Opinions should not be stated as facts.

If Israel is a "Shit hole" then IMO more than 3/4s of the world's population live in areas that could be classified that way. Once you get to those kind of numbers the classification becomes meaningless.

As far as the potential for violence, death by armed militia or by cholera or malaria each leave you just as dead. But diseases kills in far larger numbers so their presence helps me rank where I would want to raise a family.

[waiting4something]

Toshay.... Kato. Toshay

[Targan]

New Zealand, aren't they really just a piece of Australia

No. But don't take my word for it. Go find yourself a Maori, walk up to him with a big cheesy grin on your face and ask the same question. Then when you've been released from hospital let me know what he said.

[Targan]

Toshay.... Kato. Toshay

I suspect the word you are looking for is "touch". It is a fencing term, and is French for "touch".

[waiting4something]

No. But don't take my word for it. Go find yourself a Maori, walk up to him with a big cheesy grin on your face and ask the same question. Then when you've been released from hospital let me know what he said.

What the hell is a Maori Sounds like some fruity drink with a embrella in it.
I mean really look at the two countries. The are so damn simular it's uncanny.

[waiting4something]

I suspect the word you are looking for is "touch". It is a fencing term, and is French for "touch".

Yeah... yeah that's the one.

[Legbreaker]

I mean really look at the two countries. The are so damn simular it's uncanny.

That's like saying the US and Canada are the same...
Just a touch this side of insulting!

[Targan]

What the hell is a Maori Sounds like some fruity drink with a embrella in it.
I mean really look at the two countries. The are so damn simular it's uncanny.

The Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand. They are a Polynesian people (think "The Rock" aka Dwayne Johnson, but angrier).

Maori

The Maori are culturally inclined to be a warrior race. They are one of the few native peoples to have fought the British Army to a standstill during the 19th century. At one time during the Maori Wars there were around 100,000 British redcoats fighting between 5000 and 10,000 Maori warriors (and the Maori fighters were only part-time soldiers as they still had to return to their villages for the harvests). In the end the British Army only conquered the Maori by marching on their villages one by one and burning everything to the ground. Under the Treaty of Waitangi signed between the British Crown and the Maori, the Maori became full British citizens. The Maori have always been enthusiastic members of the New Zealand Armed Forces and also enthusiastic rugby players (they tend to treat rugby as a form of ritualised warfare).

I am a New Zealander, although I also hold Australian citizenship. I happily regard myself as both Australian and New Zealander but many if not most New Zealanders would be horribly insulted at the suggestion that New Zealand is simply a part of Australia. Canada, Mexico and the USA all occupy the same land mass but I would never suggest that they are all the same country. New Zealand and Australia are separated by a significant stretch of water and are geographically very disimilar. I concede however that the white Australian and white New Zealand cultures are similar.

[pmulcahy11b]

That's like saying the US and Canada are the same...
Just a touch this side of insulting!

Wasn't there some comedian who said that in a skit on SNL (It was definitely a joke, since the comedian was Canadian...)

[kato13]

No. But don't take my word for it. Go find yourself a Maori, walk up to him with a big cheesy grin on your face and ask the same question. Then when you've been released from hospital let me know what he said.

I have known a couple Maori Muay Thai practitioners and they are the among the most intense fighters I have ever met.

That's like saying the US and Canada are the same...
Just a touch this side of insulting!

I agree national identity is a very strong motivator and should not be underestimated. It seems to me that New Zealand would take the role of Canada in that comparison given their smaller size.

I must admit I was not fully aware of the rivalry until I watched the HBO show "Flight of the Conchords (TV series)" as they seem to focus on the ribbing the countries seem to give to one another. The New Zealanders in the show seem to think of the Australians as being the more crass of the two, which is another reason I think they can be compared to Canada in their relationship.